Your argument is flawed by default.
God is to be above all things is he not?
You can easily start there.
After God it it SELF. You can do no good if you are unwell.
Think you need to re-read Christs words on the subject, "we're told to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow him", a life of self denial and sacrifice in the name of Love, we are to suffer for others, to be that light of Love and compassion in the darkness, and if that makes us "unwell", then so be it, because lets be honest, "taking up our Cross" is not a recipe for a "well" life....... and of course God is above ALL, and thats why if we profess to be followers of his son we must endeavour to follow his teachings and not create false beliefs that fit in with our assumptions and prejudices.
Authority Structures Among Humans
Scripture outlines order in relationships and society.
A. Family / Marriage
- Ephesians 5:22–24 – Wives submit to husbands
- Ephesians 5:25 – Husbands love sacrificially like Christ
- Colossians 3:18–19 – Reinforces mutual roles
Not just hierarchy—
responsibility and sacrificial leadership are emphasized.
. Parents and Children
- Ephesians 6:1–3 – Children obey parents
Putting it together in a simplified way:
- God (Supreme Authority)
- Christ (in role under the Father)
- Humanity (made in God’s image)
- Creation (under human stewardship)
Within humanity:
- God → Christ → Man → Woman (1 Corinthians 11:3 context)
- Government, family, and church structures exist under God
You're misunderstanding my point, you claimed that "
Fun fact: God set up a hierarchy and "foreign lands and those people" are FAR down the list.
It is: God - Self - Spouse - Children - Parents = Siblings - your church - neighbors in proximity before you even THINK about helping outside of that circle.
Unless you're a good Christian and 1% you aren't getting outside of it.
If you do send money "outside the U.S." you are ignoring the people of America.
We don't get aid from them.
It is NOT America's responsibility to help other countries. In all of history, cultures and countries DIE",
i'm asking for a Biblical reference where Christ outlines this hierarchy, where " Foreign lands and those people are FAR down the list", for Christ specifically says in Matthew 5 46:47 " if you love them which love you, what reward have you, do not even the publicans do the same. And if you salute your Brethren only, what do you more than others, do not even the publicans do so", so how is that reconciled with your supposed hierarchy of "Self, spouse, children, parents, siblings, church, neighbours in proximity", when Christ spoke of "Loving your neighbour as yourself" and treating others as you'd want to be treated there was no geographical or emotional/ family ties, it was ALL neighbours, near and far, those close and strangers, you really need to get these pre-conceived ideas out of your head and focus on what Christ actually said rather than try to fit his words into your existing mindset, New wine has to be put into new bottles, put it into old bottles and they will break and both be destroyed.
And youve got to rid yourself of this "them and us mentality", there are no boundaries among Gods creation, the people of the US are no more or less important in the eyes of God than the people of Iran, ALL are included in his love and ALL will be subject to his judgement, when Christ spoke of "feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, housing the homeless, helping those sick and imprisoned, welcoming the stranger", there was no distinction between peoples of different countries or faiths, they are ALL worthy of our Love and compassion, and to distinguish between people on account of their nationality, race or religion is in opposition to Christs teachings. Nationalism and prejudice should have no place in our faith, when people are in need we are commanded to help, period!!.
And whether they help us back is immaterial, we do what we do out of love and compassion , not out of what we can get out of it, as Christ said " love your enemies, Bless those that curse you, do good to those that hate you and pray for those that spitefully use you".
Seems you typed hastily and/or out of ignorance.
If you or any is all "Sarah McLaughlin" about "poor foreign kids and such" you IGNORE the the Americans in need of help.
I dont think i "typed hastily or out of ignorance", but if i'm wrong, then show me where and i will change my views, after all , thats what we're here for. to share our views, to understand others, and change if we're wrong.
And i dont know who "Sarah McLaughlin" is, but that doesnt matter, i try to shape my views from Christs teachings, and while others obviously have an influence, the ultimate test is are my thoughts and actions in accord with Christs teachings of Love and compassion. So its not" foreign kids in need", its "Kids in need", wherever they may be, youve really got to get out of that way of thinking. And why does it have to be "either,or", in a world of such vast resources there should be enough for all to live their lives without need or suffering, but the inherent sinfulness of humanity, our greed and selfishness, our indifference to the suffering and destruction we cause means that yes, "the poor will always be with us", so unfortunately we do have to prioritise between needs, for the needs are great but the love and compassion we show is small, now i dont doubt that there is real hardship in some places in the US, an abomination in the worlds richest country, as ALL poverty is in the sight of God, but compared to other parts of Gods world, a world in which nearly 1 billion people barely survive on less than a couple of $'s a day, where over 800 million people have no access to clean water, where nearly a billion people are hungry with tens of millions on the brink of starvation and where between 15000-20000 young children die every day from malnutrition and easily preventable disease, then how do we prioritise?. So the pitiful amount i give, and i readily acknowledge that i could give far more, but my sinful nature, my own self interest, prevents me from so doing, i give to those that are in dire need, those facing, starvation, famine, war, disease, those that literally have nothing but the clothes on their backs and whose lives consist of the struggle of daily surviving.
You as ONE person can NOT fix such things. It's likely any money you send will never get anywhere near the countries you stupidly send it to.
Thenyou try to use two of the most BROAD verses in the Bible for your stance.
And when did i ever say that i could "fix such things". Ive spent a large part of the last 50 years trying in my own small way to bring Gods light of Love, Compassion and Justice into this Dark and suffering world, believe me i know only too well i will never !fix" this world, that can only be done by God. But what i can do, and what i'm commanded to do by Christ is to live a life of Justice, Mercy and humility, to love others as i love myself and to offer my life as a living sacrifice to him. "Fixing" this world is not my responsibility and is not in my power, my responsibility, my calling is to show Gods love in this world, wherever and to whoever its needed
And could you give me some references for your claim that "It's likely any money you send will never get anywhere near the countries you stupidly send it to" for i'd be interested to read them. Yes of course theres corruption, of course some of the moneys wasted, thats just human nature, we are inherently corrupt and sinful, but i see the results of the money i send, i see the mouths fed, i see the clean water supplied, i see the homes being built and the health centres established, i see the prisoners being freed and the strangers welcomed in refugee camps, i see the audited accounts, so please tell me, what do you see thats different?.
And even if only half, or a quarter of the money i sent actually got through to those that need it, i'd still give, for that money that got through would save and improve lives, and if i was in need, i'd be thankful for any help i'd get, as you would too in their situation. Of course id fight to change the system, of cutting out the waste and corruption, but i'd never stop giving, because thats not a part of my faith, we give because we love, Both God and our neighbour, and that love cant be eroded by the fallibility of humanity.
What do you mean by "BROAD"?, if you mean wide and ALL encompassing, then perhaps they seem that way because thats exactly the way Christ meant for them to be, there are no limits, no exclusions, no prejudices, just ONE humanity under ONE God.
God is the standard not any politcal party. They'll be burned up in the end anyway.
I think thats what i said, as to they'll ALL burn anyway, it seems to me that when Christ said to "many that profess my name and belief in me,.... i know you not, depart from me", well theres going to be a lot of people that think their salvation assured who will find otherwise. For myself, i recognise just what a wretched sinner i am, keep trying to follow Christs teachings as best i can given my sinful nature and keep God at the center of my life, and if thats found wanting, then so be it.
I agree however, Liberal belisfs do not align with God or good.
There you go again, putting your own prejudices and beliefs first, ALL beliefs, ALL political philosophies, Right, left, or centre do not align with God or Good, for they are ALL corrupted by men, ALL driven ultimately by our prejudices and self interests, none align with Christs teachings, please understand that, dont tie your allegiance to anyone, be they President, Pastor, Celebrity or whoever, or any human institution, our allegiance must be solely to Christ, to do otherwise is to betray the Saviour we profess to follow.
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